Diaz-Canel Named Cuba's New President

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Materials Daily News

Proficient

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

socialism

Noun

ˈsoʊʃəˌlɪzəm

a system of government based on the idea that all citizens should share a country's wealth equally, and that the government should control major industries

The country is in transition from socialism to capitalism.

In the speech, he raised his concern that the country is making a steady move toward socialism.

successor

Noun

səkˈsɛsər

a person or thing that comes after and takes the place of someone or something else

These computers are fast, but their successors will be much faster.

I was asked to nominate my own successor.

I'm putting these files in order, so my successor can easily take over the job when I leave.

The aging president of the company is currently looking for his successor.

The successor to the previous ruling party failed to live up to the people's high hopes.

The retiring Pope pledges support to his successor.

I want to be the successor of this company.

revitalize

Verb

riːˈvaɪtəˌlaɪz

to cause something to become stronger, more active, etc. once again

The government must take measures to revitalize the sluggish economy immediately.

The local economy was revitalized under the policy of local production for local consumption.

guerrilla

Noun

ɡəˈrɪlə

a member of an unofficial military group that usually fights to change the government

Che Guevara died leading a guerrilla movement in Bolivia.

synonymous

Adjective

sɪˈnɒnɪməs

very closely associated with or equivalent to something

Steve Jobs is synonymous with innovation.

defiance

Noun

dɪˈfaɪəns

strong resistance to someone or something

The sisters always found creative ways to express their defiance of authority.

Exercise 2

Article

AI Generated Audio––:–– / ––:––

Diaz-Canel Named Cuba's New President

Miguel Diaz-Canel has been named Cuba's next president, marking the first time in 60 years the communist-run country has had a president outside the Castro family.

The 57-year-old Diaz-Canel, the only candidate for the job, won a five-year term, according to state media.

The move is not expected to bring about drastic change. In his first speech as leader, Diaz-Canel promised to continue Castros' socialist revolution, shouting “motherland or death, socialism or death, we will win.”

Diaz-Canel, a former first vice president, appears to be socially liberal and is considered an acceptable successor to the retiring elderly leaders who fought in the revolution. He succeeds 86-year-old Raul Castro, who is resigning after 10 years in office.

Diaz-Canel will face pressure to bring greater prosperity to the Caribbean country and revitalize its economy, which is weaker than it was in 1985 when it was supported by the former Soviet Union.

Since Fidel and Raul Castro led a guerrilla movement that overthrew a dictatorship and took over the country in 1959, the name Castro has been synonymous with Cuba. The Castros leave behind a history of defiance against the United States, as well as a long record of oppression.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the leadership transition is "of great concern" to the Trump administration because it is not democratic.

"We would like citizens to be able to have a say in their political outcomes, and this certainly does not seem like regular folks will have a say. They basically don't have a real and meaningful choice because it's not a democratic process."

Nauert said the administration would like to see "a more free and democratic Cuba," but is "not overly optimistic."

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican U.S. representative from Florida and Cuban American, expressed similar concerns.

"As long as the people of Cuba do not have the opportunity to choose their own government, it is always going to be a dictatorship, no matter who is the head of that government," Ros-Lehtinen said.

Exercise 3

Discussion

What are your thoughts on Cuba's new president?

Would you agree that Cuba is still a dictatorship despite the recent change in leadership? Why? Why not?

Do you expect to see "a more free and democratic Cuba" in the near future? Why? Why not?

In your opinion, do citizens in your country have a "real and meaningful" say in important political decisions? Please explain your answer.

Have you ever been to Cuba? If so, please share your experience. If not, which Latin American countries would you like to visit?

Exercise 4

Further Discussion

Is Cuba a popular tourist destination for people from your country? Why do you think this is the case?

How long has your country's current leader been in power? Do you think they are likely to win another term in office?

Is there a limit on the number of terms a leader can serve in your country? Do you see this as a good thing?

Would you ever consider pursuing a career in politics? Why? Why not?

If you became the leader of your country, what changes would you enact?

Exercise 5

Quotes

When dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a right. - Victor Hugo. What do you make of this statement?

Democracy cannot be imposed on any nation from the outside. Each society must search for its own path, and no path is perfect. - Barack Obama. Do you agree with Obama? Why? Why not?

Exercises for Further Self-Study

These self-study exercises are optional and should be carried out after the lesson has finished.

Exercise 6

Sentence Building

Write at least one sentence for each of the words in Exercise 1: Vocabulary. Begin by making sure you understand the definition of each word. Use the example sentences as a guide if you are unable to think of a sentence. Practice reading your sentences out loud.

Exercise 7

Summary

Make a brief summary of the article. Focus on the main topic and consider which pieces of information are most important. Make sure you include details such as what the article is about, who is mentioned in it, where and when the events took place, and also how and why they happened.

Parts of this lesson are based on:

An article by Voice of America.